Residents in Norfolk and Suffolk were shaken this afternoon by a sudden, thunderous bang that echoed across the regions, leaving many convinced it was a sonic boom. The sound, described by witnesses as similar to a car crash or explosion, struck at approximately 4.30pm, causing some buildings to vibrate and alarming local communities.
Simon Boston, who was refueling at a petrol station in Necton near Swaffham, Norfolk, recounted the moment saying, “It was a huge boom—I initially thought a car crash had happened on the A47.”
Social media quickly filled with reports of the bewildering noise. One user described how the “whole house” shook, while others expressed confusion and curiosity. Comments ranged from “I thought a truck had crashed” to more humorous takes like “Sonic boom over Norwich or rehearsal for Blitz 2?” A Facebook post speculated that the noise might have been caused by an F-15 jet breaking the sound barrier.
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Though the precise cause remains unconfirmed, many locals reported seeing jets in the sky, reinforcing the theory that the boom was produced by an aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound.
For context, a sonic boom occurs when an aircraft travels at supersonic speeds—faster than approximately 660 mph (1,060 km/h) at high altitudes—creating shockwaves that compress and decompress the air rapidly, resulting in the characteristic explosive sound.
Authorities, including the Ministry of Defence and local police, have been approached for comment as residents await further explanations about the startling event.